Flighty wrens

It was critical to include wrens in the book as they flourish in the chalk stream valleys. Getting a good photograph of a wren was however tricky as almost always I saw them too late and disturbed them by my approach. I have yet to work out how they do it, but when spooked wrens go into nearby bushes and then I get up close, the wren has disappeared yet I have not seen it move off. Occasionally one sees a wren resting on a branch or feeding when it should then be possible to get a photo of them - but no. They are not usually still long enough. So, two options, either set up a hide in a likely place and wait for hours (not my thing) or persevere with very slow and careful approaches along the river bank over a number of visits and sooner or later get lucky. As with many of the shots on the book, perseverance pays! The shot above was from the Avon earlier this year.